Repeated ceasefire violations: Does Pakistan actually want resumption of peace talks?

Pakistan might have shown a goodwill gesture by handing over the BSF jawan, swept away into Pakistan by strong currents of Chenab river in Jammu & Kashmir, but the repeated ceasefire violations long the Line of Control (LoC) reflects Islamabad's double speak over establishing peace between the neighbouring countries.

Pakistan continues provoking

These continued aggressions would definitely mar the relations between the two sides at a time when both the governments are pitching for peace talks. As many as 5 ceasefire violations have been reported in the month of August and today's was the third such incident in last 48 hours after an agreement to observe peace along the border between BSF and Pak Rangers at the Commandant level flag meeting at on August 8 during the handing over the BSF jawan.

50 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2014

There have been uninterrupted ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side which is evident with the fact that nearly 50 such incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control and a dozen on the international border in the state have been reported in this year itself.

However, in the year 2013, their number was 199 along the LoC and 143 on international border. Not only security personnel several villagers living along the borders were killed and scores were injured in as Pakistani troops used mortars and automatic weapons.

With these border skirmishes Pakistani troops are trying to divert the attention of security forces to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists in the Kashmir valley, Army officials have been repeatedly saying. But, alertness and retaliation from the Indian side has kept the terrorists away from entering on Indian soil.

Sharif Government's unwillingness

This entire development proves that Nawaz Sharif administration doesn't wants to establish peace with New Delhi which is why it is constantly violating the border truce. The second saying prevalent all over Pakistan is that the Sharif Government has no control on its defence forces and everything in the Army happens as per Army chief General Raheel Sharif's wish.

Pakistan from time to time has witnessed military coups and saw decades of dictatorship. Powerful Army chiefs from Ayub Khan to Pervez Musharraf have seized power in coup in Pakistan. But, the Pakistani administration cannot shrug off its shoulders by showing its incapability to tame its own Army which is costing it improved relations with its neighbours.

But, the incumbent Sharif government in Pakistan too has not shown any such positive signals so far that would help resumption of peace talks despite the Narendra Modi-led Government making it abundantly clear that it wants improved bilateral relations with Islamabad. Sharif Government may have acknowledged India's invitation to visit New Delhi to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony and exchanged gifts with each other. But, not enough political will has been shown by Sharif Government to engage peace talks.

By stopping repeated ceasefire violations along the LoC, fast tracking Mumbai terror attacks trail and imposing ban over Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of 26/11, Islamabad could have definitely signaled towards taking positive steps. On the contrary, its envoys brazenly defended Saeed saying India hasn't produced substantial evidences against him.

Time for Modi to act

Also, the Narendra Modi Government must ensure that such frequent provocations must stop before the two sides sit for talks. During his poll campaign Modi had severely criticised the then UPA Government for failing to curb Pakistani aggression. There have been more than 20 such instances since Modi Government came to power. But, things are still the same as Government hasn't done anything in this regard. It is high time Modi Government takes this issue very seriously and delivers on what he had promised to the nation during his electioneering.